I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond Beach is a coastal retirement hotspot with at least 29% of its residents aged 65 and older. Once home to John D. Rockefeller and a historic destination for American automobile pioneers, the Birthplace of Speed is an attractive city to receive home care for its average-level cost of living, warm climate, diverse leisure services and natural beauty. Ormond Beach is also bordered by Daytona Beach, keeping seniors conveniently near the neighboring city’s two major hospitals.
With plenty of amenities by the beach and the Halifax River, Ormond Beach lets seniors enjoy serene water views. Its landscaped waterside parks feature paved walkways, boardwalks and fishing spots, while the beaches have smooth, hard-packed sand for better accessibility. Tomoka State Park has a wheelchair-accessible nature trail and welcomes service animals. Visiting the Ormond Beach Regional Library, the City Hall’s weekly farmer’s market and The Casements for special events also treats seniors to scenic river views.
Shopping and entertainment are accessible to Ormond Beach seniors. Aside from Granada Boulevard’s interesting shops and numerous dining options, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens is free to visit and ADA-friendly. For local concerts, theater shows and other live acts, the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center is fully accessible and offers free use of assisted hearing devices.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Ormond Beach, FL
The average costs for home care and home health care in Ormond Beach are $4,004 and $4,195 per month, respectively. These estimates are based on Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, with home health care costing more due to the inclusion of skilled services such as medication management and intermittent nursing care.
It’s important to note that Genworth’s monthly home care cost calculations are based on a 44-hour weekly service schedule with fixed hourly rates. You can expect to pay more or less than the monthly total according to the number of service hours you require in a week. For a closer estimate, the average hourly service rates in Ormond Beach are $21 for home care and $22 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Ormond Beach has relatively affordable home care and home health care costs — about $100-$200 below the state averages and $400-$500 lower than the nationwide median amounts. Central Florida’s inland areas such as Ocala and Orlando have similar affordable home care costs at $3,813, saving Ormond Beach seniors nearly $200 per month. However, Ocala’s home health care cost of $4,576 is about $400 more expensive. At $4,124, The Villages is higher by $120 for home care but about $71 less for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care at $4,004 and assisted living at $4,050 have minimal cost differences, and the latter already includes daily accommodations, meals and caregiver support. Home health care at $4,195 is less than half the cost of nursing home care which is $8,821 per month, and it may be more cost-effective if 24-hour skilled nursing is not necessarily required. For seniors who aren’t medically homebound, adult day care may be suitable and is the most affordable option at $1,083 per month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Ormond Beach, FL
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Ormond Beach, FL.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Ormond Beach, FL
Council on Aging of Volusia County
What You Should Know
COA has been providing free and low-cost supportive services to vulnerable seniors in Ormond Beach for over 50 years, operating with a mission to enrich their lives and help them live with dignity, comfort and safety in their own homes. Primary services available to eligible homebound seniors include personal care and companionship, light homemaking, home maintenance chores, respite care and Meals on Wheels. This nonprofit agency is also a duly recognized entity for public guardianship and also offers private guardianship services. Seniors who live alone may also contact COA for telephone reassurance, help with Adult Protective Services, to sign up for PetMeals on Wheels and to receive personal emergency response systems.
Who is Eligible?
Most of COA’s services are available at no cost or at modest co-payments for seniors who are financially eligible. These services may also be availed on a private pay basis. COA’s respite program qualifies caregivers of Volusia County seniors aged 60+ and with early-stage dementia. Meals on Wheels recipients with companion pets are qualified to receive PetMeals on Wheels.
How to Get Started
To inquire about locally available senior services, call the COA Customer Service hotline at (386) 253-4700 loc. 225, or visit the COA Ormond Beach Senior Center and Neighborhood Dining Site which is located at 351 Andrews Street.
ElderSource
What You Should Know
As the Northeast Florida region’s Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center, ElderSource develops programs that help seniors to live with dignity and independence. Its Long-Term Care Services Unit is staffed by knowledgeable specialists who can provide LTC options counseling, LTC service and program referrals, needs assessments for LTC waitlist placement, and assistance with the eligibility process for the Florida Medicaid Managed Care LTC Program. It also operates the ElderSource ADRC Helpline which helps seniors, families and caregivers access appropriate community assistance programs. ElderSource also has SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) volunteers who are trained to provide free Medicare benefits counseling. Other available programs include TCARE (Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral System Program), which provides free family caregiver support, and the ElderSource Institute, which offers education and resources for positive aging.
Who is Eligible?
Some of the LTC programs by ElderSource may qualify Medicaid-eligible seniors, as well as others based on age, needs and income. TCARE supports caregivers of seniors 60 and older, while the ElderSource Helpline welcomes all seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities in Volusia County, as well as their families and caregivers. ElderSource Institute programs are available to adults aged 50+.
How to Get Started
You may call the ElderSource ADRC Helpline at (904) 391-6699 or toll-free number (888) 242-4464 to talk to a customer service specialist or a SHINE counselor. For LTC services or assistance with Medicaid LTC screening, call (800) 963-5337. To get started with TCARE, have your caregiver submit an online caregiver assessment form. You can also access the ElderSource Database for a comprehensive directory of local resources and providers of supportive services.
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program
What You Should Know
EHEAP is a Volusia County Human Services program that helps low-income Ormond Beach seniors pay utility bills. An eligible household may receive up to $3,500 worth of assistance which must only cover electric, coal, gas and propane expenses for heating and cooling.
Who is Eligible?
Low-income households with at least one member aged 60 or older are eligible for EHEAP. A utility disconnection or past-due notice must be presented to qualify.
How to Get Started
Apply for EHEAP online or call (386) 239-7757 to schedule a phone interview with a caseworker.
MFCS Weatherization Assistance Program
What You Should Know
Mid Florida Community Services is a Community Action agency that sponsors weatherization services for Volusia County. The weatherization program helps low-income households reduce energy costs through free energy-efficient home improvements. Covered services may include insulation, infiltration repairs, solar window screens and installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as replacement of refrigerators and HVAC systems.
Who is Eligible?
Low-income homeowners may apply for this program, but priority is given to seniors 60 and older, adults with disabilities, families with children and those participating in LIHEAP or EHEAP.
How to Get Started
Download the application form on the MFCS website or call (352) 796-1425 to receive it by mail or email.
VCPA Homestead Exemptions for Seniors and Disabled Veterans
What You Should Know
The Volusia County Property Appraiser office qualifies elderly homeowners for lower assessed property values that offer tax savings benefits. In Ormond Beach, the maximum additional homestead exemption amount for seniors is $25,000. The Granny Flat exemption program grants value reductions to homestead properties with construction or reconstruction for accommodating elderly parents or grandparents. Veterans with service-connected disability are entitled to a $5,000 exemption.
Who is Eligible?
Senior homeowners must be 65 and older and be permanently residing in their properties, starting January 1st of the application year. Applicants who are veterans must have at least 10% service-connected disability, while Granny Flat exemption program requires that the property owner’s parent or grandparent is a household member aged 62 or older.
How to Get Started
Each homestead exemption program has a dedicated application form that’s downloadable from its respective webpage. Once completed, the application can be submitted to the nearest VCPA office from Ormond Beach, which is in neighboring Holly Hill.